POC adds 60 more athletes in roster

10/22/2009

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) will include 60 additional athletes in the 25th Southeast Asian Games, hiking the total number of local competitors to 213 with only six weeks left before tiny Laos makes its first hosting of the prestigious event this December.

But the POC has yet to raise money to finance the participation of additional athletes — or those selected without the approval of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

“We don’t have the money yet, we’re still looking for sponsors,” POC secretary-general Steve Hontiveros yesterday said, following a lengthy POC executive committee meeting last Tuesday.

“But the POC is ready to fund other athletes— that’s for sure.”

“We just want to make sure that we have the final say in the selection of athletes. Being the funding agency, our counterparts in the PSC should understand that.”

SEA Games chief of mission Mario Tanchangco, in a previous statement, said an athlete needs P70,000 to compete since the organizers require $50 a day for the meal and accommodation expenses of all participants.

Julius Manicad

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